Topic 2: Balancing the Budget (Open Monday, April 11th through Sunday, April 17th): This past Friday, the Congress narrowly avoided a federal government shut down by compromising on a budget that will allow funding through the remainder of the year. With tax revenues declining due to the weak economy, the government can't afford to maintain all of its programs. To spend more in one area would require less spending elsewhere. If you were in charge of the budget. What would you cut ? What would you keep ? How would you balance the budget ?
This is a very important consideration for Mock Congress. The bill you propose will have to be funded. You'll have to estimate the costs of your bill- and suggest how it might be funded. At this time in our History, Americans are not willing to vote for additional taxes or additional spending. The repurcussions are trickling down to state and local governments.
Here is a link to a fascinating online simulation that puts you in control of the federal budget. Could you balance it ? At what opportunity costs ?
Budget Discussion-
Topic 2: Balancing the Budget (Open Monday, April 11th through Sunday, April 17th): This past Friday, the Congress narrowly avoided a federal government shut down by compromising on a budget that will allow funding through the remainder of the year. With tax revenues declining due to the weak economy, the government can't afford to maintain all of its programs. To spend more in one area would require less spending elsewhere. If you were in charge of the budget. What would you cut ? What would you keep ? How would you balance the budget ?
This is a very important consideration for Mock Congress. The bill you propose will have to be funded. You'll have to estimate the costs of your bill- and suggest how it might be funded. At this time in our History, Americans are not willing to vote for additional taxes or additional spending. The repurcussions are trickling down to state and local governments.
Here is a link to a fascinating online simulation that puts you in control of the federal budget. Could you balance it ? At what opportunity costs ?
http://crfb.org/stabilizethedebt/